Grinding apparatus



Feb. 10, 1953 z. w. wHrrEl-louslf 2,627,704

GRINDING APPARATUS I Filed Nov. 12. 1949 2 SHEETS- SHEET 1 IN1/ENT R. im. 2 ZEBULON wwmTEH USE.

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Feb. 1o, 1953 z W WHITEHOUSE 2,627,704

GRINDING APPARATUS Filed NOV. l2, 1949 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 AT onmys.

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Patented Feb. 10, 1953 2,627,704 oanmnvo APPARATUS Zeliuion W. Whitehouse, Canton, Ohio, assig'nor to Republic Steel Corporation, Cleveland, Ghio, a corporation of New Jersey Application November 12, 1949, Serial No. 126,890

i Claims.

This invention relates generally to the art of metal grinding and is particularly concerned with new apparatus for grinding large steel articles suoli as blooms and slabs by which an operator may simultaneously manipulate the grinder and move it lengthwise and across the article being ground.

Swing grinders have been employed heretofore with various types of supporting apparatus. Ordinarily, such a grinder included a frame on which a grinding wheel was rotatably mounted and on which a motor was also mounted to drive the grinder and the frame was suspended from an overhead support for some limited movement over the article to be ground. While this arrangement may have been satisfactory with small size articles, it can be used on large articles, such as slabs and blooms, only ineiliciently because of the need for constant shifting of the article z being ground to bring new surface portions thereci into the range of movement of the grinder. The present invention provides grinding apparatus in which the grinder is moved, at the will of the operator and while he is manipulating the grinder frame, to bring the grinder adjacent to all parts of the surface of the slab, bloom or similar article.

The present invention will be better understood by those skilled in the art from the following description and of the apparatus shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side, elevational View of apparatus embodying the present invention; i

Fig. 2 is a top, plan View of the Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary, top, plan view oi the grinder frame showing its handles and switches which are manipulated by the operator;

Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram laid out -in perspective and showing the various circuits, switches and switch controls embodied in the apparatus of Fig. l;

Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram of alternating current circuits controlling the actuation of the grinder motor and the carriage gear motor;

Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the direct current circuits for the lights on the apparatus and for the crane motors; and

Fig. T is a wiring diagram of the control panel for the crane or bridge.

The apparatus shown in the accompanying drawings, briefly described, comprisesfin combination a sidewise movable bridge or crane having a supporting leg at one end and suspension apparatus of means at the other end, a carriage movable end- V 2 wise of said bridge or crane, a grinder frame suspended from said carriage and having handles by which it may be manipulated and carrying a grinder and grinder driving motor and switches for controlling the motor means which actuate the crane and the carriage.

The crane or bridge is of the single legged gantry type and comprises a beam I having supporting legs 2 near one end thereof and a trolley i! at the other end thereof which has wheels running on an overhead rail 4 by which that end of the beam is supported. Transverse angles 5 connect legs 2 to beam I and converging angles 3 connect one of angles 5 to the beam I and brace the leg supporting structure against movement relative to the beam. The lower ends of legs 2 are connected by channels 'I between which supporting wheels 8 are rotatably mounted to run on a rail 9. Cross members l0 attached to channels l aiiord a support for an operators platform, designated generally at Il. Brackets I2, mounted on channels 1, support motors I3 and I4 and the gearing by which the motors are connected to the wheels 8 for moving the crane along the rail 9, these motors being reversible so that the bridge may be moved in either direction along the rail.

The beam I has an upright 26 ai'lixed thereto near its suspended end and this upright carries a plurality of alternating current collectors 2I and direct current contacts 22, these collectors and contacts engaging power lines (not shown). Current collected by these collectors and contacts is carried through power lines 21a and 22a, respectively, to the various switches and motors indicated in Fig. 4 and presently to be described.

Beam I has vertical bars 25 attachedthereto at each end and pulleys 26 are rotatably mount ed at each end of each'of vthese bars. Beam I has outwardly projecting flanges 3u along its lower edge and on these anges are mounted a plurality of trolleys comprising yokes 3l and wheels 32, these trolleys being connected in pairs by load bars 33 and the load bars being connected together by another load bar 34.

A motor 43 is mounted on a plate di extending from the top of beam I to one brace G and this motor is connected to a drum 4Z. A cable 43 has its ends attachedto the ends of load bar 3i and extends around the four pulleys 2t and is wrapped around drum' 62 sothat when the motor it is energizeddrm 42 rotates to move the cable therearound in one direction or the other and thereby moves load bar or carriage 3 endwise of the crane in either direction as clesired.

A hoist 45 of any suitable construction is suspended from load bar 34 and is pivotally connected at its lower end to the grinder frame d6. Motor 4l is mounted on one end of the frame l on one side of the suspension point and grinder t8 is mounted on the other side of that point and near the operators platform Il. A drive belt 49 serves to transmit rotary motion from the motoi 4l to the grinder 4B.

In Fig. l, 50 designates a bloom positioned on a base I so that the upper surface may be ground by grinder 48.

The grinder frame #6 includes a pair of handles 55 and 56 which the operator may grasp to manipulate the frame and bring the grinder into contact with the top surface of the bloom ed. One of these handles, 55, includes a rotatable portion which is connected through lever 5l and bar 58 to a switch control handle 59 of switch Sil. This switch is part of the crane motor drive circuit which includes conductor 5i, the control panel parts designated generally at S2 in Fig. 7, motors i3 and i4, conductor 63 and switch (it connected to the power line 22a. It will be understood that when handle 55 is rotated clochwise (as viewed from the operators position) switch 63 will be shifted and motors i3 and iii will be energized to move the crane toward the right in Fig. e, and, similarly, when the handle 55 is rotated counterclockwise, switch QB will be shifted and the motors i3 and It will be reversed to move the crane .in the opposite direction. The operator may rotate the handle 55 in the desired direction while simultaneously manipulating the grinder frame to move the grinding wheel into contact with various parts of the surface of the bloom.

The grinder frame also carries a switch near the other handle 5S and this switch has a switch control handle 66 which may be actuated toward or away from the operator as indicated in Fig. 4, and, while the operator is holding onto the handles 55 and 55 and manipulating the frame as desired. Switch 55 is in the circuit which includes motor 4U, a conductor El leading therefrom to switch 65, and a conductor ES leading from switch 65 to a switch 69 which, in turn, is connected to power line 21a. Movement of the switch control handle 66 away from the operator will actuate motor Sil to move the frame supporting carriage 34 away from the operator and movement of the handle toward the operator will reverse the motor and move the carriage toward the operator.

The power line Zia leads through a switch 'is to the grinder motor ill by wayjof conductor il.

Lights F5 are carriedby the bridge and are energized by current from power line 22a through switch 'i5 and conductor V".A

The switches 64, 69, lll and l are all accessible to the operator from platform H.

The grinder motor disconnects switch B, together with the starting switch le, forms part of an alternating current controller 8i of any suitable type.

The contacts of the crane drive `switch E3 'are designated in the schematic diagram of Fig. 6. The remaining contacts of that diagram are conventional relay and switch contacts such as are found in direct current controllers.

Since conductors 6I and 68 are connected to switches on the grinder frame and this grinder frame may move along the crane, means are -pro- 4 vided in the form of spring driven take-up reels carried by the crane onto which the slack in these conductors may be wound when the carriage is moved toward the operators platform and from which it may be unwound when thc carriage is moved in the opposite direction.

It will be understood from the foregoing description that the operator may control not only the crane moving motors I3 and It, but also the carriage moving motor 46 while holding onto the handles of the grinder frame and manipulating the grinder to bring the grinding wheel into contact with various parts of the top surface of the bloom. Rotation of the handle 55 will cause the Acrane to move the grinder lengthwise of the bloom in either direction as desired, and movement of the switch control lever S5 will similarly move the carriage toward and away from the operators platform and thereby move the grinding wheel transversely of the bloom. Since the grinder frame is suspended from the carriage 3ft, lit can be swung about its point of suspension by pulling or pushing on the handles 5E and 56 and the grinder wheel may thereby be moved transversely of the bloom for some little distance. This makes it unnecessary to actuate the carriage driving motor 4S except at intervals and hence .the handle 66 may conveniently be actuated by the operator while he is holding onto handle 56, although, if desired, switch 65 could be operated like switch Eo by using similar connections and making handle 5e to rotate. It is necessary more frequently to shift the crane and, consequently, the crane switch et is controlled by a simple rotation of the frame handle 5i.

Those skilled in the art will understand from the accompanying drawings and the description thereof that the apparatus there disclosed may be handled by a single operator, that the grinder may be progressively moved longitudinally and transversely of the billet, bloom or other article which is to be ground so as to be brought into contact with all parts of the top surface thereof, that these movements may be controlled by the operator while the grinding is taking place and that the grinder may be actuated and moved both longitudinally and transversely of the work piece, all at the same time.

Having thus described the present invention so that others skilled in the art may be able to understand and practice the same, l state that what l.' desire to secure by Letters Patent is dened in what is claimed.

What is claimed is:

l. Grinding apparatus comprising in combination a sidewise movable bridge, including a beam, spaced legs supporting one end of the beam, wheels supporting said legs, and suspending means at the other end of the beam including a trolley connected to the top of said beam, a carriage movable endwise on saidl beam, a grinder frame suspended from said carriage, a grinder on said frame, a cable carried by said beam and connected to said carriage, a motor on. the beam operatively connected with the cable to move the carriage on the beam, a motor mounted on the beam supporting means and operatively connected with the beam supporting 'wheels to move the bridge sldewise, a motor on said grinder frame near one end thereof. and connected to said grinder for actuating the latter, an operators platform between said supporting legs, manipulating handles extending from the end of said grinder fra-me remote from the grinder motor to positions adjacent to said platform, one of said handles having a rotatable grip portion a switch connected t0 said rotatable grip portion of said grinder frame handle and to the bridge moving motor for actuating the latter, and switches connected to the grinder and carriage moving motors, said switches being within the reach of an operator on said platform.

2. Grinding apparatus comprising in combination a sidewise movable bridge, including a beam, spaced legs supporting one end of the beam, Wheels supporting said legs, and suspending means at the other end of the beam including a trolley connected to the top of said beam, a carriage movable endwise on said beam, a grinder frame suspended at its mid portion from said carriage, a grinder on said frame at one side of its point of suspension, a cable carried by said beam and connected to said carriage, a motor on Ithe beam operatively connected with the cable to move the carriage on the beam, a motor mounted on the beam supporting means and operatively connected with the beam supporting wheels to move the bridge sidewise, a motor on said grinder frame at the other side of its point of suspension and connected to said grinder for actuating the latter, an operators platform between said sup- 'porting legs, manipulating handles extending from said frame to positions above said platform, switches on the grinder frame and connected respectively to said bridge and carriage moving motors, and a switch on the platform and connected to the grinder for' controlling the latter, said switches being within the reach of an operator on said platform, and one of said switches being connected to one of said handles for actuation by rotary motion of the latter.

3. Grinding apparatus comprising in combination a sidewise movable bridge, including a beam, spaced legs supporting one end of the beam, wheels supporting said legs, and suspending means at the other end of the beam including a trolley connected to the top of said beam, a carriage movable endwise on said beam, a grinder frame suspended at a midpoint from said carrivage and including a U-shaped part and a beam part. a grinder mounted between the sides of said U-shaped part, a cable carried by said beam and connected to said carriage, a motor on the beam and operatively connected with the cable to move the carriage on the beam, a motor mounted on the beam supporting means and operatively connected with the beam supporting wheels to move the bridge sidewise, a motor on the beam part of said grinder frame and connected to said grinder for -actuating the latter, an operators platform between said supporting legs, manipulating handles extending from the sides of said U-shaped part of the frame to positions above said platform, one of said handles having a rotatable grip portion, ya. switch on the grinder frame connected to the rotatable grip portion of said grinder frame handle and to the bridge moving motor for actuating the latter, a switch on the grinder frame adjacent to the other handle and connected to the carriage moving motor for controlling the latter, and a switch connected to the grinder for controlling the latter, said switches being within the reach of an operator on said platform.

4. Grinding apparatus comprising in combina tion a sidewise movable bridge, including a beam, spaced legs supporting one end oi the beam, wheels supporting said legs, and suspending means at the other end of the beam including a trolley connected to the top of said beam, a carriage movable endwise on said beam, a grinder frame suspended at its midportion from said carriage and including a U-shaped part on one side of said place of suspension, a grinder on the U-shaped part of said fr-ame, Vertical bars at the ends of said beam, pulleys near the ends of said bars defining a rectangular course for a cable, a cable connected to said carriage and extending above and below said beam and about said pulleys, a motor on the beam operatively connected with the cable to move it in said rectangular course and to move the carriage on the beam, a motor mounted on the beam supporting means and operatively connected with the beam supporting wheels to rotate them and move the bridge sidewise, a motor on said grinder frame on the other side of said place of suspension and connected to said grinder for actuating the latter, an operators platform between said supporting legs, manipulating handles constituting extensions of said U-shaped part of the frame projecting over said platform, one of said handles having a rotatable grip portion, a switch connected to the bridge moving motor and to the rotatable grip portion of said grinder frame handle for actuating the bridge moving motor, a switch on the grinder frame connected to the carriage moving motor for controlling the latter, a switch on the platform connected to the grinder for controlling the latter, said switches being within the reach of an operator on said platform.

ZEBULON W. WI-II'I'EHOUSE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 430,487 Shaw June 17, 1890 728,825 Ames May 26, 1903 741,335 I-Iibbard Oct. 13, 1903 819,759 Hulett May 1, 1906 1,112,015 Lichter Sept. 29, 1914 1,308,762 Martin July 8, 1919 1,395,077 Aveling Oct. 25, 1921 1,437,966 Fitch Dec. 5, 1922 1,541,392 Reaney June 9, 1925 1,694,084 Straight Dec. 4, 1928 1,881,087 Martin Oct. 4, 1932 2,073,400 Cumming Mar. 9, 1937 2,139,772 Ringe Dec. 13, 1938 f 2,290,611 Hite July 21. 1942 2,391,881 Clay Jan. 1, 1946 2,423,787 Mosena July 8, 1947 2,479,293 Bayless Aug. 16, 1949 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 397.759 France Mar. 16, 1909 

